Jonathan Stroud

 “Around the age of seven I began writing rip-roaring adventures inspired by the works of Enid Blyton,” says fantasy book author Jonathan Stroud on his official website. “These featured bands of children, robbers, stolen loot, ruined castles, secret passageways and hidden doors that swung open if you tripped on a tree root.” Fast-forward 30-plus years and his Bartimaeus Trilogy (The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem’s Eye and Ptolemy’s Gate) has made him an almost permanent fixture on the New York Times bestseller list. In addition to his trio of New York Times bestsellers, Jonathan Stroud’s books include The Ring of Solomon (the prequel to the Bartimaeus Trilogy), his first fantasy book since the Bartimaeus Trilogy called Heroes of the Valley and many more. It’s been rumored that a movie version of The Amulet of Samarkand is in the works, but hopefully all of Jonathan Stroud’s books will be brought to life on the big screen sooner rather than later! A master of all things fantasy book related (including a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor and way too many awards and accolades from around the world to mention in this space), author Jonathan Stroud lives in England with his wife, Gina, and their young children, Isabelle and Arthur.